“I am very anxious about our men for they must have so little to eat now…We are very short of water, and have not been able to wash since we left South America…but that is nothing for I had no wash from October last year until 25th May this year…

“I will have many stories to tell you when I return…, but I cannot write them. I just hate writing letters but I want you to get this to know I am thinking of you my little daughter.”